GORDIE STARTED IT ALL! Straight From The Mate, “PT” It could be argued that Gordie Duane is responsible for Huntington Beach being called “Surf City”. He birthed surf culture as we know it today in this town when he opened it's first surf shop “Surfboards by Gordie”, under the pier in 1956. In those days, Gordie was building balsa boards for a crew of pier locals that included Sammy Beull, Chuck Burgess, Lewis Tartar and the members of the “Boy's of '55” HB Pier Surf Club, one of the first surf clubs in California. Legend has it, that in 1957 Gordie asked Dick Thomas and Chuck Hasley to stop by Hobie's in Dana Point to pick up one of the new foam blanks that Hobie and Grubby Clark had developed. When they bought the blank back to HB, Gordie set about shaping it but found it too flexible and being schooled in the trade of fine cabinetry set about putting a redwood stringer down the middle. It was the birth of the stringers in foam blanks. The shop under the pier remained until 1959 when it burned down and Gordie moved the shop up onto PCH and 15th, for the next two decades it was a focal point of HB renegade surf culture and spawned “The Hole in the Wall Gang” the prominent shop surf team of the time. Most anybody who was anybody in HB at one time or another rode, shaped or worked in the Gordie shop or was a member of “The Hole in the Wall” gang. Gordie is the godfather of HB's surf shop culture and is still kicking around, a real life connection to the origins of “Surf City”
Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History, Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History, Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History, Art, Action Sports, Music, Fashion, Lifestyle, Culture, History and MORE...
06 hbcult.com
HBCult.com
Rebbeca, photo: Celso Junior
10
YOU WON’T GET BURNED AT THE BEACH
s By Rockin' Fig
Photos: Niltz
HB local Brett Simpson is one of the city's fastest rising stars. “Simpo”, as he likes to be called, was awesome as an amateur when he was team captain of the hot Huntington Beach High School Surf Team. He opened eyes back in '05 as a pro making the World Qualifying Series final at Haleiwa in Hawaii in some good size surf, showing his polished surfing way beyond his years. In '08 at the big time US Open of Surfing contest, Simpo got on a roll and made it to the semifinals. In 2009 Simpson opened up the season with a bang, with a win at the Katin surf event over icon Rob Machado in one of the best Katin finals ever. At the Us Open in '09 he couldn't be stopped from taking the win over World champ Aussie Mick Fanning, winning the largest first place prize give away to date at the time ($100,000) and also qualified for the big show – The Association of Surfing Professionals World
16
s Champion Tour. In 2010, Simpo went big again, with back to back wins at the US Open, against then number one in the world Jordy Smith, in front of a huge crowd of over 125,000 spectators on the sand. Voted number one Orange County Surfer in '08 and '09, Simpson will be a shoe in for the 2010 award as well. The son of football legend Bill Simpson looks to shine brighter in 2011, when the A.S.P. World Tour kicks off in late February on the Gold Coast of Australia at the Quicksilver Pro. Big airs and rad surfing are his trademark and that makes him a threat in any heat! If things go well, a top ten year is possible
HBC: What is Brett's daily routine like? Simpo: Wake up around 6:30am, make a coffee! Loosen up the limbs a bit with a stretch. Make a few calls to see how the surf is or hop on surfline.com and check it out. Depending on time of the year its majority Southside in the winter months and Northside in the summer! HBC: Congrats on getting married! You're so super dedicated to being on tour, how do you plan on juggling traveling and a relationship? Simpo:Thanks man. It's definitely a big step but it feels great and we're so stoked! I am definitely very committed to the tour, but its family and friends first! So, my wife Danielle will be coming with me on many of the trips to make me feel right at home and comfortable! HBC: You've admitted to enjoying a “home-court advantage� when you surf Huntington, but aside from it giving you an edge in competitions held here, how important is it to have HB to come home to? Simpo: Man, HB is my HOME! I'm traveling so much it's like my vacation when I get home! So many of my good friends and family are nearby! I really do enjoy where I live! HBC: What was your favorite spot in HB to surf? Simpo: I would have to say I spend the majority of my time on the Southside of the pier! It all really depends on swells and whatnot but I would say that's where you can catch me at, mostly. HBC: What are your personal favorite contests / competitions? Simpo: Well, you know I'm going to say the Us Open! That event has been very good to me the last few years! Also very much enjoy Jbay, Trestles and Pipe! They all have way different feels and that's what keeps me coming back to it every year! HBC: We lost such a heavy-hitter and an awesome friend with the tragic passing of Andy Irons. Have you seen or been involved in any tributes that you think truly captured the spirit of AI? Simpo: I was there in Puerto Rico when it had all went down and it was just sooo sad and silent! The air was taken from everybody with such dramatic news to lose a close friend and one of the best surfers to live! HBC: What's the best thing about being in the spotlight and recognized everywhere you go? What's the worst thing about it? Simpo: Well, as a professional you work for success! With success comes all
the other stuff. I really do enjoy it a lot. There might be times when you wanna be somewhere else at some certain time but this only last for a little while so just trying to enjoy every moment! HBC: What do you envision Brett Simpson doing in ten years? Simpo: That would put me at 36 yrs old and i envision myself having a healthy career up until then and taking care of my body. Most likely I'll be on my way out of the competition scene but will be helping a brand i have worked with in the past and helping the young kids coming up in the community! HBC: Outside of surfing, who has been the biggest influence in your life? Simpo: My Father, Bill Simpson by far! He has put me on the right track since I was young. Work hard and never be denied! He has been through a lot of the same things I'm going through now in my career and has helped me get over a lot of hurdles! HBC: If you could hang with anybody alive or dead, who would it be? Simpo: That's a hard one, but I never got to meet my father's mom (which would be my grandmother) 'cause she passed long before I was around! I would really love to meet and talk to her! HBC: What other sports do you excel in? Simpo: Ping pong, basketball, snowboarding to have fun and possibly use for training too. HBC: What kind of music are you into? Simpo: I like Rap ! T.I. Wale, Kanye, Kid Cudi !! Those are some from example HBC: Do you play any instruments yourself? Simpo: Nope, no chance! haaa HBC: Any favorite restaurant or club in town? (If so, what's your Fave drink, fave food) Do you get hook ups pretty much everywhere you go? Simpo: I enjoy Sushi On Fire, good grinds there! Here and there I will definitely get hooked up with a drink or a free roll but I'm not out there in search of that! Good food is where its at! HBC:Do you see any kids ripping that you like? Simpo: Seems to be a little crew on the rise out there, Derek Peters, Christain Saenz,Kanoa Irgashi, Matt Passaquindicii ! Nice group of kids that are surfstoked! Its refreshing too see! HBC: Who was your favorite HB surfer and who did you idolize growing up? Simpo: I can't really pick one because there have been so many inspirations to come outta' this town! Some of them are: Timmy Reyes, Micah Byrne, Jay Larson, Shaun Ward, Danny Nichols, Jeff and Barry D-baugh and those are just to name a few! This town has been gifted with great surfers and I'm thankful to be a part of this crew!
1
10
11 1
2
4
3
5
did he p ull it ?!! go to hb cu lt.com
10
to find o
ut
9
8
7
6
s
simpo stuff_
Simpo slashing out an S (like Zorro)
Hometown: Huntington Beach Weight: 165lbs Height: 6'1” DOB: 1-5- 85 Stance: regular Sponsors: Hurley, Etnies, Dragon, HSS, DaKine, Power Balance, Future Fins, Primary Shaper: Hamish Graham Favorite Maneuvers: Tailwhips Family: Son of NFL football player Bill Simpson, recently married Danielle Favorite Surfers: Parko, Slats
bests_
Destination: Australia Culture: Ours/ HB Beer: Bud Light Junk Food: Taco Bell Food: Italian Music genre: Rap Airline: Singapore Sport: Basketball or Tennis
lasts_
Last heavy hold down? Sunset this year Last bender? haaaa, aint me! Last book you read? Andre Agassi’s documentry Last blow up on someone? got pissed the other day playing hoops, guys weren't trying hard enough! haa Last time you claimed a wave? every 3rd wave pretty much Last time someone mistook you for someone else? Im a funny lookin thing, can’t mistake me ! :) Last person you pissed off? who knows, prolly a lot of people in the water! Last time someone yelled out, “BRETT”? Not too sure, here SIMPO a lot though!!
“This town has been gifted with great surfers and I'm thankful to be a part of this crew!” – Simpo
PACIFIC RIM CUISINE Steaks, Ribs & Seafood Kid’s Menu . Patio Dining . Catering
Monday - Friday HAPPY HOUR ½ PRICE Selected Menu Items 4-7 $1 TACOS(fish & calamari) DRINK SPECIALS FULL BAR !
Breakfast Sat & Sun 10-12
alohagrill.com 2 LOCATIONS ! Main St. Huntington Bch . 1749 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa
Huntington Beach 714.374.4427 Costa Mesa 949.722.7882
Pinky Taylor is a South-African-born artist who has lived, worked and surfed in Huntington Beach ever since a pro-surfing gig landed him here nearly eight years ago. More so than riding waves, he's made them—big ones—within the industry through creative collaborations with some of the most recognized companies in surf, skate and snow. Pinky's artwork has adorned surfboards, skate decks, apparel and storefronts for miles in every direction, and by the looks of it there's no sign of slowing down for miles to come. by: Sara Garrison
02
board art start to finish / paint on foam
35
Pinky's first memory of making art is central a life-long interest in noise – in all of its implications (aural, visual, etc). As a 3-year-old, he remembers the sound of fire trucks leaving their station across the road from his childhood home. Triggering a desire to create and translate what he heard and saw onto paper, he would wait and listen for the trucks and grab his drawing materials each time he heard them leaving their station. His descriptions of the trucks' clamoring sirens and blinking lights stand out more so than his recollections of what he saw, and later in our conversation when the subject of music comes up it is no surprise that he cites Sonic Youth, one of the most infamous “noise” bands of the 70s, as his favorite group of all time. He has always been a complete sucker for the unseen power of noise. Sure, we all love noise—at least in a musical, melodic form—but what's interesting about Pinky is that even as a toddler with little more than a box of Crayolas, he recognized noise as a workable material that could be used in an artistic manner. It's parallel in concept to what the “noise bands” of the 70s, such as Sonic Youth, did for music. Simply put, he has made a career out of translating the unseen (noise) into an art form (visual). Inspired by: Mistakes, things that aren't “correct” commercially - flawed, imperfect, erroneous people, pieces of paper on the floor, texture, music, noise, distortion, contrast, mass vs. underground, pop vs. sub – contradiction…or contrary, The Contrarian…i.e. self-willed (without being obstinate, stubborn) color, language,
ADD NOISE + JAPANESE CULTURE. MIX COLOR, POP ART (THE REAL STUFF--BRANDING, ADVERTS, EVERYTHING THAT HE WASN'T GETTING FROM TV1 AND TV2). SHAKE WELL AND GARNISH WITH SURF CULTURE AND YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR AN UNDERGROUND/OUTSIDER ARTIST. 62x48 peepl eat peepl / ink & pencil on canvas >>>
advertising, fashion, branding What is your first memory of making art? I think the first memory is, I don't know, when I was probably around two or three-years-old? My whole family was constantly asking me to draw pictures for them and, uh, the first thing I remember drawing is fire trucks, mostly. We lived across the street from a fire station so I'd listen for them and head to the front window with my paper and pencils each time I heard the sirens. That's interesting. I'd like to talk more about the noise aspect of that memory, but first I want to know: What is your first memory of feeling like an official artist? How did you start? Well, when I was eight-years-old I started these after-school art classes that my teachers had advised for me because, I don't know, I guess I was creative at the time. The same year I had my first exhibition, in Japan, and at that moment, more than any other, is when I felt like I had become an official artist. So, at age 8, your work was selected to be exhibited in Japan! What was that experience like, being so young and from such a sheltered country in the world? How did it shape the rest of your career? It's funny, because I remember thinking to myself, “What's Japan?� I was just an eight-year old from South Africa, which was super third-world at the time, you know? We had two T.V. stations, only, at the time: TV1, which was English-Dutch, and TV2, which was Zulu, I think. So other than what was being filtered through those two outlets, I hadn't been exposed to much, culturally-speaking. The opportunity to exhibit my work in Japan really sparked an interest in the outside world. I wanted to find a connection between what I had created and where it was going, quite literally. It was a very literal, or geographically-based relationship, at first, you know? Japan was just a point on the map. But as I started to research Japan, I became more and more inspired by it. That's when their culture began to creep into my work, and there is a lot of Japanimation influence in my art, to
california shabu / costa mesa >>>
this day. So I guess that's the relationship between how I began as an artist and how my artwork has evolved into what it is now. When did you leave South Africa and where did you go? In England for a little while – not too long—maybe a month What did you do there? Small surf contest. Did art there as well. And I had a band in S. Africa and we had a #1 song. I'm not telling you that! I don't want to go down that path! Anyway – I guess we got a recording opp in America – 'cause it's really hard to come to America from SA so that's how it happened. We got the call to come and we did and then we ended up breaking up. Started another band, and then that one broke up. Haha. Playing bass and guitar at the same time. [Pinky played the bass line on distortion and power chord at the same time on guitar.] So, what musicians were you listening to at the time? Like Sonic Youth? Yeah, I love Sonic Youth! They're my favorite band, actually…. Talk to me a little about texture and noise. So yeah, that's what I'm into—like texture. I like three dimensions of everything. Music, paint. If it's music I like texture, like the sounds that people try to mute. Like the fuzz and the buzz, like stuff that isn't correct commercially. Are there any particular pop artists that you're influenced by or are you influenced by the real stuff? I'm inspired by Andy Warhol, for instance, because of what he did at the time. And the way he packaged it, too, was pretty cool. But truly I'm inspired by anything – it could even be a word, a conversation. I don't
know I'm really weird – it could even be a piece of paper on the floor. It could be anything, you know? But I'd say that my main inspiration—for art, is music, because of the emotion. Is your musical taste all over the place as well? I get bored quickly. Yeah. so yeah it'll change and fluctuate. How do you translate that into a visual art? It's really hard because if I paint I don't really plan anything so like it's about the current emotion and when I finish I'm like “huh? How did I get there?” I don't know it's like I think about that a lot, it's weird. When I do a t-shirt graphic, though, I have to plan it. And like it feels like it's harder for me to do because I have to connect the dots. When I paint I don't even know what I'm going to paint—I just do. When you look back on your art, can you feel the emotion that you created it under?
40
R
HBC: Who is your favorite music artist? R: That's really hard because I have such an eclectic taste in music! I love everything from Classical to Hardcore to Jazz to Gospel to Hip hop…. HBC: How many kids do you want? R: I want to beat my grandma's record of 12 kids! Just kidding… No, I just want two I just want a boy and then a girl in that order. HBC: Of the tattoos you have, which is your favorite and what's the meaning behind it? R: My left arm is based on my spirituality, not so much religious but spiritual. What I've learned and how I want to live. So its like life and death, skulls and flowers, and one of the skulls has tribal on it which pretty much means belonging. I put it on death because I believe there is another level of existence once you pass. Energy is a huge thing for me and I believe you float on with the wind. And the swallows on my left hand means free-spirited, I know it means something else for sailors, but for me its free-spirited! HBC: If you could tattoo anyone, who would it be?
R: Jesus! I'd tattoo Jesus! Just kidding, I'd wanna tattoo my parents, I'm from a very conservative family though. I'd put my name on my mom and dad. HBC: Do you think Jesus had one? R: I think Jesus has one, but he was probably just born with it, just like Harry Potter was born with the lightning bolt. I'd wanna tattoo Lady Gaga, John Legend…. HBC: What would you put on Lady Gaga? R: “Property of Ruthless” and we'd both sign under it then its official, right? I'd own Lady Gaga! Love her! I don't care what anyone thinks. She's smart. I know what she used to look like before, then she went and did herself up, and now she's the only Lady Gaga! The only person that could ever pass that kind of a style. I just really admire how she created herself. I very much look up to her. HBC: Have you tattooed Danny [Casler of National Product, her boyfriend/manager]? R: He has absolutely no tattoos; I did tattoo him with blank needles so he'd know how it felt and he loved it.
Ruthless
“Energy is a huge thing for me and I believe you float on with the wind.”
HBC: Where's Danny? R: He was supposed to be here. I don't know where he is, he's so busy, he's a such a business man. HBC: What's he doing, making music? R: No. I don't' know. He's a business man, I'm not a business person so I don't care. [Takes a bite of her burrito, makes a purposefully audible chewing noise as she leans into the lens of the camera] HBC: You love the camera huh, Ruthie? R: Me and the camera- we have a thing going! HBC: We hear you have a make-up line? R: My make up line is called Ruthless Cosmetics and it's only available online for now at ruthlesscosmetics.com HBC: What was the first tattoo you ever did? R: First tattoo I ever did was on this guy and I told him I'd been doing it for a year already, 2nd one was a full arm of tribal and the next dayHBC: Let me guess, tribal wasn't cool anymore? R: Ha ha, no the next day my arms were so sore! It's easy for big guys but for me I have to put my back in to it
HBC: Do you have a preference toward color tattoos or black ink? R: I love color and black and grey equally. If your heart is in it, either one will be just great. HBC: I heard you mention you quit smoking. How’d you pull that one off? R: Well, I was living with this girl who was doing some pretty heavy drugs, bad bad! And she kept telling me that she was going to quit, and that she was quitting, only doing a little bit. I was like “you know you can't keep doing that”, because I had never done heavy drugs, but I had been clean from smoking cigarettes, but I had to treat it like a heroin addiction, I have been clear for a year and 4 months now. I had to treat it like a heroin addiction, Like if I just have one cigarette, I'm relapsing. When you hear a cigarette smoker saying, “I quit but I still smoke socially,” you don't think anything of it, but if a heroin addict says, “I'm just going to have one” or “smoke a little”, you're like, “Whoa!” You have to treat cigarette smoking like a heroin addiction, you cannot ever, ever, ever have another cigarette once you quit, that's the only way.
uthless
an image can tell a story...
PRINTING & GRAPHICS
SERVING HUNTINGTON BEACH FOR 26 YEARS
printechusa.com
714.847.2200 17572 Griffin Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92647
and we can print it ! ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRINTING
_we manage our waste stream for recycling where possible, and committed to offering printing with reduced ecological footprints and minimal environmental impact...
“Combo'ed” for most of the final. Waring made a late charge at the midway point with a good score, but Curran put the nail in the coffin with a near-perfect score of 9.77 for a massive front-side air-reverse on an outside left-hander near the five minute warning. In picking up the $4,000.00 first place check Timmy exclaimed “I love Huntington Beach, I've been coming here since I was fifteen and to win this event is great”. For Curran, the win also marked a somewhat comeback to the competive arena as he's been focused on his music career in recent times and as a result he plans to “take a break from the music tour and do as many fun events as possible to try and build my ASP World Ranking and eventually get back into the US Open”.